Hoisting mechanism



Oct. 29, 1940.

R. C. OSGOOD HOISTING MEC HANISI Filed Oct. 27, 1936 P i: I l mi? 9 15; 0

3 Sheets-Sheet 1 lrzwm ah- K0549423 6 01:97am? R. c. ois eoon uors'rnw uncnmzsu Filed Oct. 27, 1936 5 Shasta-Shout 3 Patented Oct. 29, 1940 UNITED STATES HOISTING MECHANISM Robert C. Osgood, Claremont, N. 11., assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application October 27, 1936, Serial No. 107,855

9 Claims. This invention relates to hoisting mechanisms,

and more particularly to improvements in hoisting mechanisms or winches especially designed for use with life boat launching apparatus.

In conventional forms of life boat launching apparatus, life boats are usually launched, or hoisted after launching, by means of davits mounted on the deck of the ship and embodying swinging arms or booms carrying pulleys around m which the cables for lowering or hoisting the life boats pass, these cables extending about suitable guide pulleys on the deck to a double drum hoist or winch located near one davit at one end of a life boat or between the adjacent ends oil's 1' pair of life boats. When it is desired to launch the lite boats, the davit booms are swung outwardly by conventional means so that their outer extremities project outwardly over the side oi;

the ship so as to suspend the life boats supported thereby out over the side of the ship. The hoist the cables to effect lowering of the'liie boats. Usually, suitable means is provided for braking the drums and for preventing an excessive unwinding speed of the cables. During hoisting of the life boats, the drums are operated by a motor or hand cranks for effecting winding in of the a cables, the drum braking means usually releasing automatically, or being automatically disconnected from the drums, when the drums are rotated in cable winding direction. In known forms of launching apparatus for launching nested life boats, manual means is employed for effecting rapid winding in of the cables by hand when the drums are relieved of their load, this hand operating means being connected to the drums independently of most or all of the drum driving gearing embodied in the motor or hand crank operated winding means, so that the cables may be rapidly woundin by hand for connection in another life boat to be lowered.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved hoisting mechanism or winch. Another object is to provide an improved hoist or winch especially designed for use with the davits' of a life boat launching apparatus, whereby launching of the boat is eiiected in an improved manner. A further object is to provide an improved hoist or winch having embodied therein improved drum braking means for controlling unwinding 80 of the cables on the drums and improved automatic free wheeling" clutch means for eilecting disconnection of the braking means from the drums during rotation of the latter in cable winding direction, the braking means having associ- 55 ated therewith automatic centrifugally operated braking means for automatically preventing an excessive rate oi rotation of the drums in unwinding direction during the lowering of the load. Still another object is to provide an improved interlocking means for the drum drive drums are then operated to eii'ect unwinding of,

control clutch and drumbralre so that when the drums are. connected in driving relation with the drlving motor, release of the brake to permit rotation of the drums in unwinding direction is precluded, it being necessary to release the clutch prior to brake release. Still another object is to provide an improved means for manually rapidly rotating the drums in winding direction, when the drinns are disconnected from the motor operated drum driving gearing, so that the cables 10 may be rapidly wound in by hand. Other objects and advantages of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully appear,

In the accompanying drawings there is shown for purposes of illustration one form which the u invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view 'of the illus- 'ti-ative form of the improved hoisting mechanism.

Fig. 2 is an elevational view of the hoisting mechanism shown in Fig. 1, as viewed from one end of the mechanism,'-,,

Fig. 3 is an elevational view of the improved hoisting mechanism, as viewed irom the opposite end of the mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a developed vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Fig. 2.

.Fig. 5 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Fig.*4=.-

Fig. 7 is a detail vertical sectional view taken on line 1-1 01 Fig. 4.

In this illustrative embodiment of the invention there is shown a hoisting mechanism'or. winch, generally'designated i, especially designed for use with a life boat launching apparatus of any conventional type, so that lowering of the life boats may be maintained at all times under control. This improved hoist or winch, in this instance, is designed for the launching of a pair 40 of life boats and comprises a frame .2 adapted to be mounted, in the usual manner, on the deck of a ship, preferably in adjacency to the davit mechanism, and journaled on this frame are pairs of winding drums 3, 3 and l, 4, herein ar- I ranged on parallel axes, and the drums of each pair being integrallyunited for rotation in unison and having wound thereon cables I, I and l,v 8. These cables are adapted to be passed i around'" suitably located sheaves on the ship deck and go davit mechanism, so that the cables may be operated to lower or raise the'life boats suspended by the davits over the side of the ship. As the davit g ide pulleys and other mechanism of the launching apparatus are of a conventional form, is further description thereof is considered unnecessary.

Again referring to the specific winch or hoist structure, it will be noted that the pairs of drums 3, 8 and l, 4 are journaled on parallel horizontal Q braking means, roller cross shafts 1, in turn journaled in roller bearings 8 supported within the sides of the hoist frame. Mounted on the top of the hoist frame is a horizontal supporting plate 9 on which is mounted a motor l0, and this motor is' preferably arranged with its power shaft i i arranged parallel with the drum axes. motor power shaft I i is a motor pinion I2 meshing with a large spur gear l3 journaled on a bearing sleeve i4 supported by a cross shaft l5, herein arranged parallel with the drum driving shaft 1 and likewise journaled within roller bearings l6, I6 supported within the sides of the hoist frame. Keyed to and driven by the shaft l5 and located at the opposite side of the hoist frame from the spur gear I3 is a spur gear i1 meshing with a spur gear l8 keyed to a cross shaft I9, herein arranged parallel with and below the shaft l5 and likewise journaled within roller bearings 20, supported within the sides of the hoist frame. Keyed to and driven by the shaft I9 is a spur gear 2| meshing with a spur gear 22 keyed to a cross shaft 23, herein arranged parallel with the cross shafts i5 and I9 and likewise journaled within the sides of the hoist frame. Keyed to and driven by the shaft 23 and arranged at the opposite end thereof from the gear 22 at the opposite side of the hoisting mechanism is a spur gear 24 meshing with a large spur gear 25 keyed to the drum drive shaft 1 for the hoisting drums 3, 3. The drums 4, 4 are likewise driven from the motor In through gearing including a gear 26 meshing with and driven by the spur gear l3, the gear 26 driving the drum through spur gearing 21, 26, 29, 30, 3| and 32, the spur gear 32 being fixed to the drum driving shaft. The gears l3 and 26 of the drum driving means are connected with their alined shafts by sliding jaw clutches 33 splined to the shafts. From the foregoing, it will be evident that when the jaw clutches are connected, the pairs of drums may be driven in cable winding direction from the motor i0 through the spur gearing. As the drives for both pairs of drums are substantially the same, a description of the clutch and drum ratchet means for the one pair of drums 3, 3 will suffice for both.

As shown in Figs. 4 and 6, keyed to an elonga- 'tion 34 of the shaft I5 is a hub 35 of a roller clutch, generally designated 36, of a conventional design, this clutch commonly known as a freewheeling or one-way slip clutch. Secured to this hub 35 is an annulus 31 having cam or wedge surfaces 38 engageable by gripping rollers 39, and these wedging surfaces, upon rotation of the an nulus 31 in one direction, effect movement of the rollers into frictional gripping engagement with an internal cylindrical surface 40 formed on an outer annulus 4|. This annulus 4| is secured to the hub portions 42, 42 of a brake drum 43, and these drum hubs are journaled in ball bearings supported by the roller clutch hub 35, in the manner shown in Fig. 4. When the annulus 31 is rotated in the opposite direction, the wedging surfaces move into a position to effect release of the gripping rollers from engagement with the cylindrical surface 40 of the outer annulus 4i. Engaging the braking surface 44 of the brake drum is a contractible brake band 45 having its ends attached at 46 and 41 to a bell crank plate 48 keyed to an operating shaft 49. Fixed to the operating shaft 49 at the outer side frame is a lever 50 having mounted thereon an adjustable weight 5|, and this weighted lever acts automatically to effect application of the brake Keyed to 'one end of the shoes are normally urged-towards gages the dog 1l of the hoistband frictionally to resist rotation of the drum in cable unwinding direction. It is accordingly evident that when the shaft I5 is rotated in one direction, the free-wheeling clutch automatically effects connection of the brake drum with the shaft l5, so that rotation of the hoisting drums in unwinding direction is automatically braked, and when the shaft l5 rotates in the opposite direction, the free-wheeling clutch automatically disconnects the shaft from the brake drum, so that the hoisting drums are free to rotate in cable winding direction.

The clutch 33 is provided with a usual clutch shipper yoke 53 engaging a peripheral groove 54 on the clutch, and this shipper yoke is connected to an operating rod 55 guided for axial movement on the machine frame and having at the exterior of the machine frame an operating handle 56. When the operating handle 56 is in the position shown in Fig. 1, with the jaw clutch 33 connected, it overlies the weighted lever 50 of the brake applying means, so that when the clutch 33 is engaged the brake is always applied. When the handle 56 is moved outwardly to effect disconnection of the jaw clutch 33, the weighted lever 50 of the brake may be manually swung upwardly to effect brake release. It will thus be seen that the handle 56 of the jaw clutch operating means provides an interlock, so that whenever the jaw clutch is connected, the brake is always applied. When the handle 56 is moved into its clutch releasing position, the brake lever 50 may be swung upwardly to eifect release of the brake. This interlock arrangement insures disconnection of the motor from the drums during lowering of a life boat, and as a result precludes injury to the motor due to an excessive rate of rotation of the motor armature.

A centrifugally operated brake is provided for automatically preventing an excessive rate of drum rotation in cable unwinding direction, and this brake, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, comprises a pair of swingable brake shoes 60 and 61 engageable, when in expanded position, with the internal cylindrical surface 62 of a stationary brake drum 63 secured to the side of the hoist frame. These brake shoes 60 and 6| are pivotally connected at 64 and 65, respectively. to a member 66 keyed to the shaft IS. The brake their contracted released position by coil springs 61. It will thus be seen that when the shaft l5 rotates too rapidly in one direction, the brake shoes automatically fly out under the action of centrifugal force into frictional engagement with the cylindrical surface 62 of the stationary brake drum, thereby automatically effecting braking of the shaft and slowing down of the drums.

An automatic dog is provided for permitting drum rotation in one direction relative to the drive shaft 1 while automatically connecting the drums to the drive shaft upon rotation thereof in the opposite direction. Thts automatic dog comprises an arm 68 having its hub 69 keyed to the shaft and pivotally mounted on this arm at 10 is a dog 1|. A spring pressed plunger 12 en- 7 to urge the latter outwardly into engagement with teeth 13 formed on the drum.

Means is provided for rotating the winding drums by hand comprising a sprocket 16 fixed to the drums and connected through an endless chain 16 to a sprocket 11 fixed to an operating shaft 18 suitably journaled within the side of the hoist frame. This shaft has a polygonal portion 19 adapted for the reception of a suitable turndrums may be manually rotated in cable winding direction through the spur gearing. If desired, th projections 80 may be formed on the motor shaft instead of the shaft IS, in an obvious manner.

When it is desired to launch'the life boats, the

davits of the launching apparatus are swung out- -The operator then grasps the handle 56 and moves the operating rod 55' outwardly to effect release of the jaw clutch 33 from the driving gear Hi, the handle 56 movihg from its interlocking position above the weighted brake operating lever. The operator may then raise the weighted lever 50 upwardly to effect release of the brake band 45, thereby permitting rotation of the drums in a direction to unwind the cables, and so a lowering of the boats. As the drums rotate in unwinding direction, the dog ll engaging the teeth on the drums causes rotation therewith of the shaft 1, gearing 25, 2|, shaft 23, gearing 22. 2|, shaft l9, gearing l8 and I1 and the shaft l5. In the event that the rate of drum rotation becomes excessive, the brake-shoe weights of the automatic brake will fly out under the action of centrifugal force to effect movement thereof into braking relation with the stationary brake drum, and as a result the drums are automatically braked and drum rotation is. slowed down to a predetermined maximum speed.

When it is desired to hoist the life boats, the Jaw clutch 33 is connected and the motor I is operated to rotate the drums through the spur gearing in cable winding direction, the drums being rotated through the spur gearing l2, l3, l1, 18, 2| and 22, 24, 25, the shaft"! and theautomatic dog 1|. During rotation of the hoisting drums in cable winding direction, the "freewheeling" clutch 36 releases automatically to effect disconnection of the brake drum 44 from the shaft 15 so that the brake is automatically disconnected from the drums at that time. ,When nested life boats are to be launched, the drums may be manually rapidly rotated in cable winding direction between launching of different boats independently of the spur gearing and driving motor I 0 through rotation of the shaft 18, and

through the chain and sprocket connection 11,

I6, 15, the automatic dog 1i slipping over the teeth on the drum at that time. The cable winding drums may be rotated in cable winding direction by means of hand cranks connected to the polygonal projections 80 on the shaft l5 through the spur gearing. 7

As a result of this invention it will be noted that an improved hoisting mechanism isprovided, apecially designed for use with a boat launching apparatus, whereby thelaunching of the life boats may be maintained always under control,

resulting in a launching apparatus which is extremely safe in operation, the improved hoisting mechanism having embodied therein safety features which preclude a too rapid lowering of the life boats even when the manual control means is inadvertently entirely released. It will also be noted that instead of the double drum type hoisting mechanism disclosed, wherein pairs of hoisting drums are provided for launching a plurality of boats, if desired only one pair of drums may be employed to eii'ect launching of but a single boat. It will still further be noted that by the provision of the improved interlock between the drive control clutch and the manually controlled brake, the drive control clutch is always held in released position during release of the brake, 5 thereby preventing possible injury to the driving motor, due to an excessive rate of rotation of the 'motor armature duringthe boat launching operation. Other uses and advantages of the im-' proved hoist or winch will be clearly apparent to those skilled in the art.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the-appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by I Letters Patent is:

1. Ina hoisting mechanism of the character described, a frame, a cable winding drum journaled thereon, a motor on said frame, reduction gearing connecting said motor in driving relation with said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction and comprising cooperating speed reducing elements, a-clutch for disconnecting certain elements of said reduction. gearing from the remaining elements thereof for disconnecting said motor from driving relation with said drum, a brake coaxial with said clutch and connected to said drum through said remaining elements of said reduction gearing for controlling drum rotation in unwinding direction, means for automatically rendering said brake effective only when the drum is rotating in cable unwinding direction, and an interlock be-- tween said clutch and brake operative to preclude release of the brake when said clutch is connected.

2. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described a frame, a cable winding drum journaled'thereon, a motor on said frame, reduction gearing connecting said motor in driving relation with said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction and comprising cooperating speed reducing elements, a clutch for disconnecting certain elements of said reduction gearing from the remaining elements thereof for disconnecting the motor from driving relation with said drum, a brake coaxial with said clutch and connected to said drum through said remaining elements of said reduction gearing for controlling drum rotation in cable unwinding direction, means for automatically rendering said brake effective only when said drum is rotating in cable unwinding direction, a controlling element for said clutch, and a controlling element for said brake, said clutch controlling element when said clutch is connected precluding movement of said brake controlling element into brake releasing position. v I

3. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described, a frame, a cable winding drum journaled on said frame, a motor on said frame, driving' means between said motor and said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction comprising speed reduction gearing, a manually operable clutch in said drive between said motor and said drum for interrupting the drive, a manually releasable, automatic drum brake coaxial with said clutch and having a braking element connected to an element of said driving means and rotating at a different rate from said drum 75 during drum drive and automatically braking drum rotation in cable unwinding direction, and a one-way clutch in the drive between said braking element and said drum for rendering said brake inactive during rotation of the drum in cable winding direction by said motor through said gearing, and an interlock between said manually operable clutch and said brake for precluding manual release of said brake when said manually operable clutch is connected.

4. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described, a frame, a cable winding drum journaled on said frame, a motor on said frame, driving means between said motor and said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction comprising speed reduction gearing, a drive control clutch embodied in said gearing for disconnecting said motor from driving relation with said drum, a drum brake for braking rotation of the drum in cable unwinding direction, an automatic one-way clutch for rendering said brake ineffective during rotation of said drum in cable winding direction by said motor throughsaid gearing, said motor drive clutch, said brake and said one-way clutch being arranged in coaxial relation, manually operable means for releasingsaid brake, and an interlock for precluding operation of said brake release means when said drive clutch is connected.

5. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described, a cable winding drum, a motor, driving connections between said motor and said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction comprising intermeshing speed reduction gears arranged on parallel axes parallel to,

direction, 'a manually controllable clutch coaxial with said brake and said one-way clutch for disconnecting said motor from said gearing, means for manually releasing said brake, and interlocking mechanism between said manual release means and said manually controllable clutch for precluding brake release when said clutch is connected.

6. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described, a cable winding drum, a motor, driving connections between said motor and said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction comprising intermeshing speed reduction gears arranged on parallel axes parallel to the drum axis, an automatic brake coaxial with one of said gears, an automatic one-way slip clutch coaxial with said brake for connecting said brake to said gears to brake rotation of the drum in cable unwinding direction and for automatically disconnecting the brake from the gears when the drum is rotated in cable winding direction, a manually controllable clutch coaxial with said brake and said one-way clutch for disconnecting said motor from said gearing, means for manually releasing said brake, interlocking mechanism between said I manual release means and said manually controllable clutch for precluding brake release when said clutch is connected, and a centrifugally controlled automatic brake coaxial with said clutches and said brake and connected to an element of said gearing for automatically preventing an ex cessive rate of drum rotation in cable unwinding direction when said manually c orltrollable clutch and said manually releasable brake are released.

'7. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described, a cable winding drum, motor operated driving connections for said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction, an automatic brake, an automatic one-way slip clutch for condirection, and an automatic one-way clutch between the final element of said driving connections and said drum for permitting free rotation of said drum relative to said driving connections in one direction.

8. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described, the combination of a cable winding drum, a releasable brake for controlling rotation of said drum in cable unwinding direction, said brake having a shiftable operating handle, means 7 for driving said drum in the cable winding direction and including a clutch by which the driving force may be coupled to or uncoupled from the drum, said clutch having a shiftable operating handle, and said brake and clutch operating handles having grasping portions arranged in juxtaposition and providing an interlock between said clutch and brake for preventing release of the brake while said clutch is engaged and operable to permit release of the brake only when said clutch is disengaged and the driving means is uncoupled from the drum, the grasping portion oi said shiftable clutch operating handle when said clutch is engaged being disposed in the path of movement of said shiftable brake operating handie so that movement of said brake operating handle into a position to effect release of the brake is at that time prevented by direct engagement of the grasping portion of said brake oper-- ating handle with the grasping portion of said clutch operating handle, and the grasping portion of said clutch operating handle when said clutch is released being disposed out of the path of movement of the grasping portion of said brake operating handle to permit movement of the latter into a position to effect release of the brake when the cltuch is disengaged.

9. In a hoisting mechanism of the character described, the combination of a cable winding drum, 2. motor, means operatively connecting said motor in driving relation with said drum for rotating the latter in cable winding direction, a clutch for disconnecting said motor from driving relation with said drum, a brake for controlling drum rotation in cable unwinding. direction, means for automatically rendering said brake effective only when said drum is rotating in cable unwinding direction, shiftable operating handles for said clutch and brake respectively, said handles having grasping portions arranged in juxtaposition and the grasping portion of said clutch operating handle when said clutchis connected overlying the grasping portion of said'brake operating handle in the path of movement of the latter, thereby to preclude, by direct engagement with the grasping portion of said clutch operating handle, movement of said brake operating handle.

into brake releasing Position.

ROBERT c. osooon. 

